"Shocking level of care"

My father was admitted with dehydration initially but, had been suffering with an aggressive cancer. After arriving at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary ward 105 I felt that it became obvious that his care was pathetic to non existent. 

The nursing staff we dealt with never identified themselves to him or relatives. I spent three days asking for oral care and artificial saliva before anything was done by a member of staff from another ward and shaved by ITU nurse who was also helping out. My brother and I either had to empty his catheter or ask for it to be done as staff never checked but, would stare through the window when filling in his care and comfort round ( which I felt was inaccurately filled out.  8am meds (including analgesia) still sitting on the table of my father who was in agonising pain and confused at 10am when we arrived. My dad was left with extensive bruising down his right side ( he had previously been on blood thinners but, no other bruising anywhere).

We were confronted by a threatening and aggressive patient. The buzzer was pressed and nursing assistants stood in corridor staring at us trying to keep the patient out of the room then walked away. Eventually two nursing assistants and staff nurse came to try and remove the patient. I felt they made little effort and walked off leaving me to deal with the patient while they got a doctor. I assisted the doctor in coaxing the patient back to their room. I shouldn't have had to do this. 

For the most part I felt like he was treat as out of sight out of mind.His condition deteriorated over four days until his death. When we informed the staff of his passing nobody came in to check or see if we needed anything.

 These are just a small amount of the issues my family and I feel contributed to the poor care. 

I should point out that I too am a staff nurse who worked in the acute area for eight years including QEUH. I know what it’s like to be short staffed and have a high stressful work load but, I have never seen, heard of or delivered such a poor level of care. Now working in the area of palliative care I know  it’s the littlest things that go a long way. 

I wrote this post in the hope that it identifies areas of training and learning I feel are clearly needed on ward 105.